Since August, with the exception of running with a few friends here and there, I’ve run mostly solo. This has been quite a departure from my normal routine of running with a group every Saturday morning which has been a staple in my life since 2004. But last year was not a normal running, or training year for me.

Every Saturday morning when I gather to meet my pace group, I always try to have a different topic to talk about. We have returning and new runners, and being that I’m very new to being a head mentor for my group, it’s important for me to offer some helpful guidance. Some that is not just helpful to others, but for myself as well.

I was running along a tree lined running path that looked like it was in park. The run felt
really good and effortless. Just as I finished, the big green trees were suddenly
gone and the area looked as if it’s been repairing from a fire that brushed through many years ago. After I stopped running, there were a few people I recognized and then it dawned on me – somehow I completely forgot I was meeting my friend, G, for a pre-run run!! This has never happened before! As I reached for my phone, another running friend came up to me to show the shirt she got from her recent trip to Puerto Rico. I wrote a text to my friends (G and another friend, who I decided to include in the text) stating: I AM SO VERY SORRY! I COMPLETELY FORGOT…” I felt so bad.

Going into the second water station I felt pretty good considering it was getting quite toasty
out. When I looked at the table, I knew I would need a little more oomph in my
run.My eyes saw the green grapes first so I ate a couple and then the orange slice. Yum! And
then bam! Oreos. I ate one, and then two, and couldn’t control myself and took
another one intending to eat later but that didn’t happen. I ate it right then and there.

This week I was really looking forward to joining up with my running club. Finally, I am going to run with my group again! Getting my things ready last night felt a bit out of sorts. The same thing happened last Friday as I was gathering my items for the weekend races. I completely forgot to charge my Garmin. I couldn’t find the outfit I was going to wear. What did I need to put in my hydration pack?? Agh!! This time around wasn’t as dramatic. But I did forget to charge my Garmin. Ohh, I had plenty of time in the morning to charge it. Besides we were only running 7 miles and I was pretty confident I had enough juice in my Garmin to get me through them.

Running season is in full swing. We just finished the third week of the new Leggers season and it’s gone by quickly. I’m honestly getting an immense sense of joy seeing all the new runners! Just hearing about, and seeing people who have never run before, or who have never joined a running and walking club before, is truly something else. I love their energy!

There is no better way to start off this post other than by saying Happy Blogiversary…to me!! A year ago today, I posted my very first blog entry, and I can’t believe I’m still writing a year later. I certainly have had fun with my silly little running journal, and I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store. I’m going to drink me a couple ‘o’ pints of Guinness and call it a day!

This was a rough week for me. Actually the past few weeks have been tough and when I got home last night from work I was seriously so physically and emotionally drained, I went straight to bed. When I woke up early this morning, I was so close to throwing in the towel and thought about not showing up for a run with the Leggers. I even did all things possible that would’ve help me accomplish that idea. Turns out I failed. I even did rookie runner mistakes and I still failed.

WOWZA! It’s been a month since I’ve updated this blog?!?! Where in the world does the time go? Well actually I know where it’s gone…working, hanging out with my peeps, sleeping, eating, working, keeping up with everybody BUT the Kardashians,…with some running thrown into the mix. Honestly I haven’t been up for writing much because when you’re in front of the computer all day, sometimes the last thing you really want to do at the end of a long day is to be in front of the computer.

As if waking up at 4AM on a Saturday morning wasn’t hard enough, imagine needing to wake up at 4AM on Sunday too. Since my pace group manned the water station yesterday, we had our make-up run this morning.